Stay Safe Amid Another Heatwave

The last three weeks have been the hottest on record around the globe, according to ABC News. The National Weather Service issued heat alerts on Monday for nearly 40 million Americans across at least a dozen states, while the latest forecast shows temperatures will continue to linger and intensify this week.

Amidst intense heatwaves, it’s crucial that employers and employees alike remain vigilant on the effects of heat illness, as well as methods to prevent it.

NPR reports that of all extreme weather conditions, heat kills more people than hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods combined each year in the U.S.

The are many dangerous effects to the body that can occur in tandem with heat illness, including organ failure caused by heatstroke, cardiovascular collapse, and fluid loss leading to kidney failure.

To prevent these effects, be sure to watch for the first signs of mild heat exhaustion: headaches, dizziness, lethargy, and feeling unwell in general. Muscle cramping may also be an early sign of heat-related illness.

Moreover, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend limiting your outdoor activity—especially midday when the sun is hottest, pacing yourself by starting activities slowly and picking up the pace gradually, drinking more water than usual and not waiting until you’re thirsty to drink more, and wearing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.

Though the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not have standard regulations for heat-illness prevention, it is developing a potential standard for workplaces in which it would have jurisdiction to prevent heat illness and injury in outdoor and indoor environments, including the construction, maritime, and agriculture industries.

To accomplish this, the department is asking small business owners and representatives from local government entities to participate in a series of discussions on the potential impacts of a workplace heat standard on small businesses.